Local Notes: Agri Show, Book Club and Lourdes Fundraiser
Liam Scahill, Scahills of Castlerea helping Donal Dowd load his new barbecue.
Castlerea Agricultural Show takes place on the mart grounds on Monday, August 3rd . It costs quiet an amount of money to run the show each year, and this year will be no different. The members of the committee are most grateful to all their sponsors who donate each year and they will be out and about in the coming days collecting sponsorship. They will also be running a raffle on the day. Please support.
The winning bonus ball number in Castlerea Golf Club’s lotto for July 8th was 22 . Winners of this week’s lotto were Martin Casey, Ruth Sullivan, Seamus Stenson, Paul Connaughton, and Andrew Callaghan. Each receive €100.
Mrs Pauline Shanagher, of Enfield, Ballintubber, passed away peacefully at Midlands Hospital, Mullingar, on the July 1st. Pauline was born in Moore, Castlerea to Tom and Bea Silke and lived and worked in Castlerea until she moved to Ballintubber, following her marriage to Declan Shanagher. Pauline worked in Castlerea, firstly in Modern Fashions and then for several years in EJ McDermott’s, Castlerea. After her marriage and moving to Ballintubber she was very involved in community life in Ballintubber over the years. She was instrumental in setting up the original Ladies Club which started the parish Christmas party which is still going strong today. She always took part in the fairs and festivals in the village, where she churned butter, she baked bread and made potato cakes out in the street. Then came the Mayo/Roscommon Hospice fundraisers, buy hosting harvest balls and valentines tea parties, and cake sales where there were many orders for her delicious Black Forest Gateaux. Pauline started the youth club in the old community centre, volunteering nights supervising children. She was always ready to give everything a try; she had a go at badminton and volleyball in the community centre not forgetting the set dancing and ceili. Her love of social dancing continued throughout her life and up to very recently where she met up with her friends every Sunday night in Kenny’s. Pauline will be very sadly missed by her loving husband, Declan, her son, Micheal, grandchildren, Anna, Roisin, Aoibhinn and Tadhg and her sisters, Mary Finn and Kathleen Kelly, brothers, Martin, Peter and Tom Silke and all their families and her many, many friends. Her remains were removed from her home to St. Bride’s Church, Ballintubber and following funeral Mass celebrated by Fr. Julian Lupot, burial took place in Ballintubber Cemetery. Before the final blessing, her son Michael Shanagher read the eulogy. The ceremony was enhanced by the wonderful singing and music of Joe Healy. May Pauline’s gentle soul rest in peace.
The Castlerea Brass and Reed Band performed at the Roscommon County Ladies U-14 football blitz in Ballyleague, on Saturday, July 4th. Over 300 girls from all clubs in the county took part and served up a great feast of football for the large attendance present. Castlerea band member Mildred Beirne paid a great tribute to all concerned on her Midwest Radio Sunday night programme. She said great credit is due to the girls’ parents and their coaches who spend a lot of time coaching the girls, stating that they are the unsung heroes who rarely get a mention.
The members of Castlerea Lourdes Deanery Committee are at present out and about selling tickets for the annual draw in aid of Elphin Diocesan Assisted Pilgrimage to Lourdes, it helps defray the cost of bringing assisted pilgrims to Lourdes. It costs €900 to bring an assisted pilgrim to Lourdes. The tickets are €5 each or 3 for €10. Your support would be greatly appreciated. The draw will take place in Mulvihill’s Lounge, on Saturday, August 15th. Please support.
The annual national Grandparents Pilgrimage celebrating World Day for grandparents and the elderly takes place on Sunday, July 26that Knock Shrine. A day of grace and blessing for the whole family.
Results from the recent Cloonbonniffe draw: €100 - Rachel Mullholland, Taughnara; €50 – Breda Forde, Williamstown; €25 – Michael Byrne, Taughnara.
The St. Paul’s junior and senior leagues have been up and running since 1968. In those years the following have being involved, the late Bro. Benedict, the late Bro. Neill, Gerry O’Gara, Cynthia O’Connor (Beatty) and Danny Burke who has been involved since 1968. It was great to have two past pupils at this year’s finals to present the trophies. Geoffrey Bruen, who was a member of Kevin Henry’s team that won the senior league in 1990, presented the late Paddy Bruen Shield to Galvin Milton who was captain of the junior league winning team. John Murphy, who was on the senior winning team of 1993, presented the Dr. Glavey Cup to Declan Murphy (captain) of the senior league winning team. John is also the chairman of the Castlerea St. Kevin’s Club, generous sponsors of the trophies each year, According to Danny Burke this is the first time in the history of the league that a father presented the winning trophy to his son. Although Danny stated that brothers have played against one another in league finals. In 1995, Eddie Creation defeated his brother Declan in the junior final, two years later in 1997 Declan defeated Eddie in the senior league final and in 2024 Artur Dabrowski and his twin brother Viktor played against one another in the senior league. Danny paid great tribute to Cyntha O’Connor Beatty for organising the leagues, getting wonderful support from the school principal Olivia McGarry, Mrs Ennis and all the teachers.
As part of the Summer Stars programme a junior book club for children aged 9-12 started at Castlerea Library on Thursday, July 23rd and runs every two weeks until September 3rd. Join in a fun summer of reading, activities and book chats with other young readers. Places are limited, so booking is essential, e-mail: castlerealibrary@roscommoncoco.ie
